Fairy Godmothers work their magic

The gym at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) was transformed into a department store recently. It was filled with clothing racks of prom dresses, tables full of shoes and jewelry and even a makeup counter.

For the past eleven years Collegiate School students have provided prom outfits to more than 380 residents through The Fairy Godmother Project. Their mission is to provide a high school prom experience for children whose circumstances would otherwise exclude them for attending a high school prom.

Throughout the year, Collegiate students Polly Sommers and Austin Tyner, co-Presidents of the Fairy Godmother Project, collected donated prom attire and conducted fund raisers to purchase supplemental items to complete the outfits.

The gym was filled with laughter and residents had smiles on their faces after their successful "shopping experience". The Collegiate students helped the girls find the right ensemble that will make them feel and look beautiful at the prom. Their generosity and kindness is much appreciated by both children and staff.

Mary's Cafe serves up great food and service

Several times a year, staff members at Jackson-Feild Behavioral Health Services (JFBHS) are invited to a special lunch at Mary's Café.

 

Supervised by Mary Griffith and Shemille Dennis, on April 6 the students in the food occupations class at JFBHS prepared and served a restaurant-caliber lunch of French onion soup, steak, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, and strawberry-topped cheesecake. Not only did the students plan and prepare the meal, they also performed the duties of host/hostess, and wait staff.

 

In the food occupations class, students learn everything about the food service business from ordering food and supplies to preparing and serving, accepting reservations by phone, fulfilling the role of wait staff, and cleaning the dining and kitchen areas. Students are also taught resume-writing skills and job-interviewing techniques.

 

The lessons taught by Griffith and Dennis are invaluable to the students. While Mary's Café is not open to the general public, the staff members who participated reported that the service was excellent and the meal was as good as any prepared in a commercial restaurant.

Day of Prayer gatherings to be offered by Lutheran-Episcopal Joint Committee

The Lutheran-Episcopal Joint Committee of Virginia is sponsoring a Day of Prayer on May 17 at Chanco on the James, led by the Rev. John Maxwell Kerr. A Day of Prayer will also be offered on August 17 at Trinity Ecumenical Parish in Smith Mountain Lake, led by Pastor Richard Bansemer. Speakers will lead participants in considering how and why to pray, whom to pray with, resources for prayer, prayer and the liturgical year, and will share other personal prayer practices.

Click here for more info and registration for May 17 at Chanco on the James.

Click here for more info and registration for August 17 at Smith Mountain Lake.

Easter Vigil on the York River

Bishop Hollerith was celebrant at the Easter Vigil service on the York River on Saturday, Apr. 15. This was a joint service of Abingdon Church in Gloucester, Grace Church in Yorktown, St. Paul's in Newport News, St. Andrew's in Newport News, Reformation Lutheran in Newport News, and Kingston Parish in Mathews. 

Clergy transitions

The Rev. Ed Pickup will retire from Emmanuel, Franklin, on July 1, 2017. 

ECW Annual Spring Meeting; updated Yearbook

Jackson-Feild Homes will host the ECW Annual Spring Meeting on Saturday, May 20. Come join us as we learn about the deep roots the ECW have with Jackson-Feild. A tour of the campus will include the Marshall Cottage which was renovated using the gift from the ECW last fall. To register for the meeting, contact Tia Morings, 757-650-8809 or morings1@gmail.com by May 10

. Registration cost is $20 per person. Please advise Tia of any dietary restrictions. Money will be collected during meeting check-in. Registration deadline is May 10, 2017.

2017 ECW Yearbook & Parish Directory now available
The ECW Yearbook and Parish Directory, updated for 2017, is now available as a PDF file. If you would like a copy, please contact Ann Turner, aturner@diosova.org or 757-213-3388.

William & Mary Canterbury hosts Silent Auction & Gala

Click here for more information about the Canterbury Association's Silent Auction & Gala.